What is the definition of positive reinforcement?

Positive reinforcement is defined as adding a stimulus to the environment to increase the future frequency of a behavior. This concept is grounded in behavioral psychology, where a behavior is followed by a rewarding stimulus, which encourages the individual to repeat that behavior in the future. This process enhances learning and encourages the association between the behavior and the positive outcome that follows.

For instance, if a child receives praise or a small reward for completing their homework, they are more likely to engage in that behavior again because the positive reinforcement creates a favorable linkage in their mind. In this way, positive reinforcement is a critical tool in promoting desired behaviors, particularly in educational and therapeutic settings.

The other choices focus on different mechanisms of behavior modification that do not align with the definition of positive reinforcement. Removing a stimulus or adding it to decrease behavior describes negative reinforcement and punishment, respectively, which serve different purposes in behavior management.